Electromagnetic interference shielding response and rheological behavior of lightweight nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene and Al nanoparticles

Nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and different content of Al nanoparticles have been prepared in order to gain knowledge of their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capability. This potential has been analyzed from attenuation upon reflection measurements at microwave frequency range. Moreover, shielding characteristics have been checked by Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and correlated to the ones achieved by X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. Very promising results have been obtained, with an excellent balance between shielding efficiency and sample weight. Hence, these materials are potentially good alternatives to replace metals for this application, avoiding electromagnetic environmental pollution. The effect of incorporation of Al nanoparticles on the iPP processing properties has been additionally evaluated by a rheological study at a very broad frequency range. [Display omitted] •Nanocomposites of polypropylene and Al nanoparticles are an alternative for avoiding electromagnetic environmental pollution.•High contents in Al nanoparticles hinder polypropylene processability.•EMI capability is analyzed at microwave frequency range from attenuation upon reflection measurements.•These shielding results correlate well with those achieved by Attenuated Total Reflectance.